Gospel 

Luke 6:1-5

While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry? How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat, ate of it, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”

Sermon

My brothers and sisters in Christ, today's Gospel passage presents us with a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees over the observance of the Sabbath. Jesus and his disciples are walking through a field of grain on a Sabbath, and the disciples are picking and eating the grain. The Pharisees accuse them of breaking the law by working on the Sabbath.

Jesus responds by referencing the story of David, who ate the bread of offering in the temple, even though it was only meant for the priests. Jesus uses this example to illustrate the principle that human need takes precedence over ritual observance.

But then Jesus makes a stunning claim: "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath." This statement is not just about the Sabbath, but about Jesus' identity and authority. He is claiming to be the one who has the power to interpret and shape the Sabbath, and indeed, all of Jewish law.

This passage challenges us to consider our own relationship with rules and regulations. Are we more concerned with following the letter of the law, or with responding to human need? Are we willing to challenge our assumptions and traditions in order to follow Jesus?

May we be guided by Jesus' teaching, and may we prioritize human need over ritual observance. May we recognize Jesus as the Lord of the Sabbath, and may we follow him on the path of compassion and mercy.

Prayer

Let us pray: + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty, merciful, and loving God, we come before you, reflecting on the teaching of Jesus about the Sabbath. We ask for the wisdom to prioritize human need over ritual observance, and to recognize Jesus as the Lord of the Sabbath.

Help us to be guided by Jesus' teaching, and to follow him on the path of compassion and mercy.

Forgive us for being more concerned with following the letter of the law than with responding to human need.

Give us the courage to challenge our assumptions and traditions in order to follow Jesus.

May we recognize that you are a God of mercy and compassion, and that you desire us to prioritize the well-being of others over ritual observance.

We pray for the Church, that we may be a community of people who are guided by Jesus' teaching and who prioritize human need over ritual observance.

In Jesus' most holy name we pray, Amen.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.

Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,

Rev. Fr. Jhimerson Maneclang,SCJ